Protected pension rights

According to the revised social insurance law that will take effect from January 1, next year, businesses will have to pay higher than present amount of social insurance to more benefit workers, said Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan.
In an interview with Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper, Mr. Huan said that the revised law supplements many regulations to better protect workers’ rights.
From January 1, 2016 until 2017, social insurance premiums will be deducted from allowances besides basic wage in labor contracts. It will base on total earnings from January 1, 2018. Of these, workers will pay 8 percent and businesses will pay 18 percent, totaling 26 percent.
Therefore, social insurance costs of businesses will increase, he affirmed.
A survey by the ministry shows that there are about 30-40 allowances named differently by businesses.
The ministry divides them into two groups comprising fixed and unstable items depending on businesses’ … [Read more...] about Revised social insurance aims at higher pension, deputy minister

HA NOI — Laws to provide all Vietnamese aged 60 and above with special treatment will come into effect next year. They were announced by the Presidential Office yesterday. The laws, referred to as the Elderly Law and the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, were passed at a recent meeting of the National Assembly and promulgated by President Nguyen Minh triet. They will also provide Vietnamese citizens above the age of 80 a monthly allowance from the Social Insurance Fund. The Elderly Law, which will take effect next July, contains in six chapters and 31 articles. It stipulates the rights and responsibilities of all Vietnamese aged above 60, their families and the State and society. On their 90th birthday, the elderly will receive birthday cards and presents from the chairman of the provincial or city People's Committee where they reside. And on their 100th birthday they will receive greetings and gifts from the State President. Under the Elderly Law, senior citizens have … [Read more...] about New laws offer medical aid, pensions for elderly

Vinastas determined to keep consumers' rights in spotlight (13-10-2008) Deputy Chairman of the Viet Nam Standards and Consumers Association Ho Tat Thang spoke with Dai Doan Ket (Great Solidarity) newspaper about the group's work. What has the Viet Nam Standards and Consumers Association (Vinastas) done to protect consumers' rights? We have many times expressed our discontent via the mass media with recent serious frauds such as the milk scandal, petrol stations cheating customers and taxi metres overcharging. We have sent petitions to the authorised organisations urging them to carry out regular inspections and to set up a fund to protect consumers' rights. The association has also proposed increasing fines for violators. I admit that Vinastas hasn't done much and consumers are still losing out as a result. Moreover, consumers remain hesitant to pursue their legal rights because of cumbersome procedures. The outcome, meanwhile, in many cases is dissatisfaction. How cumbersome are the … [Read more...] about Vinastas determined to keep consumers’ rights in spotlight

President Nicolas Sarkozy hopes to put his titanic battle to raise France's retirement age behind him this week by signing the measure into law despite a new wave of strikes, rallies and fuel blockades. With thousands of families heading off for school half-term holidays, and lawmakers expected to give the pensions bill their formal final approval on Wednesday, Sarkozy hopes the mass protest movement will die away. But, with Sunday newspaper opinion polls showing the embattled president more unpopular than ever, trade unions and student bodies have declared at least two more days of action, and strikes continue in the key fuel sector. A poll by the IFOP institute for the weekly JDD found
Sarkozy's approval rating had dropped below 30 percent for the first time, clouding his hopes that passing the pensions law could kick start a political comeback. French university students are planning to march on Tuesday to defend the right to retire at 60, and trade unions have called their … [Read more...] about Sarkozy hopes end in sight for French pension protest

Your say
(04-04-2008)
Responses mixed over foreigner property right
We asked our readers for their response to the legislation that will allow non-Vietnamese residents to buy dwellings in Viet Nam. It is expected to go to the National Assembly for approval at its May-June plenary session. It seems that Viet Nam's land-use law will limit the purchases to apartments and not houses, villas or country retreats.
Here are some of the replies.
James Wedlake, English, Ha Noi
Giving foreigners the right to buy apartments in Viet Nam would be a positive development. It will enable those planning to remain in the country for the long-term, or permanently, to establish a proper home for themselves. … [Read more...] about Responses mixed over foreigner property right